Rabbi Menachem Margolin, General Director of the European Jewish Association (EJA), has expressed solidarity with the French victims and people, as he called for heightened security measures in the aftermath of this week’s murderous terrorist attacks in France to protect Europe’s Jewish communities.

In a communication to the EJA’s subsidiary organizations, comprising more than 700 rabbis and institution Directors, Rabbi Margolin requested they increase their security arrangements and demand that every local authority place armed guards in front of Jewish establishments in order to prevent any further terrorist and anti-Semitic attacks.

“We share the French public’s sorrow and outrage and express our sincere condolences to the families of all of the victims,” said Rabbi Margolin in a statement, adding: “The European Jewish community has long and publicly warned all European Governments that any leniency towards any and all acts of terror against minorities will only increase terrorism and its devastating impact on our European societies.”

“Nobody can have any doubt that we are in the midst of a new and virulent wave of terror – this is the result of a build-up of many young Europeans who have joined the forces of radical Islam, leaving their homelands to join militant forces abroad, before returning to Europe, indoctrinated in the ideology of hate and trained in combat techniques,” said Rabbi Margolin.

“On January 27th, the world will mark International Holocaust Memorial Day. We simply cannot make do with remembering. We have called upon all European Governments and nations to acknowledge the darkness that is lurking over Europe, to come to their senses before it is too late. Beyond our constant activity raising awareness and calling for action in the European Parliament and among the various Governments, we have asked officials to keep the light on in their offices and homes on the eve of the International Holocaust Memorial Day as a pan-European declaration that we are all united in the struggle against the darkness,” concluded Rabbi Margolin.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)